JESSE Race has joined Tividale from Midland Football League outfit Alvechurch ahead of the new season.

Race becomes Dale’s eighth summer recruit and joins fellow central defender Jacob Barnes in agreeing to join Dale after training with the club throughout pre-season.

Ross Thorpe worked with Race during his time in charge of Alvechurch, and the 34-year-old joint manager is delighted that the talented young defender has agreed to move to the Black Country.

“Jesse is a good, honest defender who has performed to an extremely high standard for Alvechurch during his time there,” Thorpe said.

“I know that Alvechurch were keen to keep Jesse on board but I’m delighted that he’s agreed to join us here at Tividale.”

The talented defender was highlighted as a potential target when both Thorpe and Phil Male were appointed in June and Thorpe believes Race will have no problem in stepping up to the Northern Premier League.

“You know what you get from him, he gives everything in matches and in training," added Thorpe. "When I worked with him previously, I took him out of the reserves and after one game he has never looked back.”

“Having Spiller (Phil Male) working with him will only help him and so far his attitude has been excellent, even at 25 he wants to get better and that’s fantastic for us.”